New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-07
A TRIBUTE TO MR.. BEEoHsRs MEMORY.
EXPRESSIONS oF ApMIRArIoN AxD LOVE ADoPrED

| Expressions OF ADMIRATION AND LOVE ADOPTED
BY A MEETING OF PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
memorial tribute to Mr. Beecher was adopted by the
members of Plymouth Church last evening at the church
meeting. 1t was prepared by special committee and
read by Dr. r. W. Raymond The following extracts
! from it:
Mr. Beecher thrty-four years old when be became
first pastor OF Plymouth Church For the work he then
undertook he had been diyinely prepared by ustr
Gus christian parentage varied, intense and deep
ton and ten years Of missionary pastoral and literary
labors in the West
For nearly forty years he preached and lived the
Gospel OF Christ In the midst OF this people During
that time he modified In particulars the form OF his
teaching in accordance with the light thrown by
modern Investigation upon many important points, both
OF Biblical criticism and human history and philosophy
But the light OF the central truth never wavered and
never obseured Jesus Christ. cruclhed rlsen I'M
mortal and omnpotent, was as clearly declared at the
end as al the beginning and His forgying and restoring
love was made known to the last with eoquence UNI
diminished in power nay, augmented by all the force
of accumulated experience and wisdom
Less and as the years rolled on did pastor feel
called upon to predict what Christ win do when He shall
come again; more and more he concentrated all the
energy OF his soul upon the declaring what Christ Is
What clear guidance I'm doubt what hong support in
adversely what inspiration to manly achievement and
endurance. what tender consolation IN sorrow, the
OF human hearts only Eternity reveal But cannot
forhear to make special note OF the blessed effect or his
ministry in bringing God and Heaven 10 us and de
sroying in us the fear of death From the sepuchre of
away the stone and his voice has said to us, They are
not here they risen" Through him bave learned
power, and sacredness of life
What Henry Ward Beecher accomplished as reformer,
philanhropist and patriot is part OF tho history or his
age. We rejoice that his labOrs were not
confined TO this church alone. though abundant
and fruitful here, but Overlooked all limitations aud ex-
tended throughout the Nation aud the world. We lent
him gladly 10 such service. recognizing his great genius
as divine gift 10 mankind. the blessing OF which 1t was
our happy privilege to share with others and the glory
and inspiration OF which were reflected upon us.
That Plymouth Church was mistaken in its faith by
the false accusations which were at one time heaped
upon its pastors head needless TO We can claim
little credit for that We knew the man.
We had known him for lifetime.
Yet TO us who knew him best, that fiery trial re-
vealed an unexpected nobility OF soul in him,
magnanimity OF patience and forgive
ness. a heroic strength of endurance, a stead
fass trust In God, wondrous exataticn Of spirit which
illustrated to beyond all descriptions and
Christ We forget the days
lation from still poured forth from the height OF vic
torious place. comfort instruction and inspiration Tor
OtherA
This church which dear to him, and to which he
was DEAR lose the impress of his teachings
and example In every impulse OF noble
aspiration, in every enterprise OF CHRISTIAN
endeayor, in act OF worship In every hour OF
prayer we shall feel his influence.
1t ordered that the tribute be entered the re-
cords of the church and that engrossed be
scented to Mrs. Beecher.